Cleaning apparatus



Decn'fi, 1927 1,651,766

J. GREEN 1 CLEANING APPARATUS Filed May 18, 1926 ill Patented Dec. 6, l27.,

p warren stares anon (tann n-or noaroLK, vrnemra.

. nsists CLEANING 'arraanrus.

a iicaaon'fiieana is, 1926. Serial no; 109,957.

which containers may be removably fixed,

and while fixed in suchapparatus, subjected to a movement in several directions to insure that the cleaning element introduced into the container, whether the conventional chains, or a cleansing fluid, or both, may effectively search all interior parts of the container for a thorough cleansing thereof.

The invention comprehends a readily portablerframe supporting a semi-cylindrical cradle, mounted in the frame for manual rocking orrotation, with means carried by the cradle whereby containers of various sizes-may be fixed therein. supported upon rockers having resilient cushioning means to induce an endwise rocking movement of the cradle and thereby of the container during the cleaning operation.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the improved cleaning apparatus, a container being shown fixed therein.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.

Fig. .3 is a transverse section, showing particularly the'means for securing the con tainers in the cradles.

Fig. 4c is a sectional detailshowing the means for connecting the chains in the bung hole ofthe container. I

The improved apparatus comprises a frame including skeleton uprights 1, connected in spaced rigid relation by cross braces 2 and bottombracesg. A cradle 4 is mounted for rotation on and supported between the uprights 1, this cradle comprising a curved bottom wall 5, of less than full semi-circular length transversely, and end' walls 6 which extend above the edge margins of the bottom wall. The end walls are provided with trunnions 7 mounted in bearings 8 on the upper ends of the uprights 1, and one of the trunnions is extended beyond the bearing and provided with a pinion 10 to be engaged by a gear ll-having bearing in a bracket 12 rising from the adjacent upright, with the shaft of the gear connected 7 to a handle 13, whereby the cradle may be rocked or rotated at will in an obvious manner.

The frame is cradle and more or less rigidly secured therein by means illustrated particularly in Fig. 8. This means comprises a chain 15 having one terminal connected about centrally of the length of one marginal edge ofthecradle bottom 5, and a. plate 16 hingedly'connected to the opposite marginal edge of said cradle bottom diametrically opposite the hinge. The plate 16 is curved so that it'may engage withthe surface of the container. and at the end remote from its connection with the cradle bottom is provided with a lever 17 pivotally mounted on such plate at .18

The container, here shown as a metal contamer 14,1s adapted to be placed in" the and formed in one direction beyond the pivot to provide a hook 19 With which an appropriate link of the chain15 may be en gaged- The opposite projection of the lever is in the form of an arm 20 terminally-pro vided with a chain connector 21, an appropriatelink of which is adaptedt-o. engagea hook or other fastening '22 on the plate 16 near the'hinged connection thereof.

Obviously, with the container in place in the cradle, the'chain 15 may be tightened about the container. and engaged with the hook end of the lever, following whichthe free end of the arm 20"of: the lever may be drawn downwardly by a. pull o'nthe chain eonnectorQl and the latter securedto the fastening22. The container is thus secured inthe cradle in a manner to permit it's-con venient removal, it being apparent that the fastening containers of different dlameters.

means will readily accommodate The uprights 1 are preferably extended laterally at their lower ends as at 23, and

these lateral extensions are connected to rockers 24L adapted to rest upon the floor or other surface indicated at 25. The en'dsof the rockers have spring pressed pins 26 depending therefrom acting to cushion and as sist in the rocking movement in an obvious manner. v V

In order to provide for conveniently applying the containers to the cradle or for conveniently removing the containers there-;

from,'it is proposed to rock the cradle to a receiving or discharging-position, that is, with one edge thereof in. substantially the lowermost position and tolock the same in such position. For this purpose, I provide onone of the uprights of the frame a bracket 31 forming with the frame a staple-like member to receive a pin 32, the end Wall 6 moved from place to place; and'th'at the of the rocker'being formed with an opening 33, into which the'pin may be inserted to thus hold the rocker in receiving or discharging position. A portable skid may be or bilge barrels with a more or less interfit,

while for better retaining metal containers, which are uniformly of even diameter throughout their lengths, the wall of the cradle is provided at appropriate points with lugs 35, which are sopositioned'as to rest beyond the usual reinforcing bars or hoops 36 of the container to prevent longitudinal movement thereof.

If desired, and as preferred, a series of chains 27 may be loosely placed in the container 14 for the cleaning function. Preferably these chains are secured toan eye 28 forming part of a closure 29 adapted to be screwed or otherwise held in the usual bung openingSO of the container 14. Obviously, a-cleansing fluid of any appropriate mate rial or materials may be used in the container with or without the chains.

As constructed, the operator by suitably manipulating the handle 13 may impart a rocking or revolving movement to the container and at the same time cause a rocking of theentire structure longitudinally on rockers 24. This movement will insure a proper searching action of the chains, cleansing fluid, or both, with the'eftect to thoroughly cleanse the full interior surface of the container.

It is to be particularly noted that the ap-,

paratus is a portable one and may be readily cradle may be readily positioned wit-hone or the other of its edges in a lowermost position' so that the container may be readily rolled therein by a single operator. F urthermore, afterthe cleaning operation is completed, a release of'the tl'astening means will permit the container to. be self-dis charged from the cradle by merely tilting the latter to permita' gravitational movement of the container;

It is to be particularly noted that the play of the chains in the cask barrel or container may be through the full sweep of the interior by rotating the cradle or may be concent-rated on a particular length or portion of the container by a comparatively slight rocking movement of the cradle. the container or cask has a particular spot requiring more cleaning than the remainder of the interior, such spot or spots may be operated on directly until cleaned by appropriate operation of the cradle.

What I claim is:'

'1. A portable cleaning apparatus, including rockers, frame uprights extending transversely of and connected to said rockers, a cradle mounted for movement between the upright, the aiiial line of the cradle extending longitudinally of the rockers, a fastening plate hinged to one marginal edge of the cradle, a fastening chain secured to the other marginal edge of the cradle, a lever carried by said plate and having a hook end to be engagedby said chain, a connector extendfrom the lever, and a connector holding means mounted on said plate.

QQA portable cleaning apparatus including frame uprights, a cradle mounted for rotating movement between the uprights, and

means secured to the opposing edges of the cradle to overlie and engage a contamer resting in the cradle, said means including a fastening plate niovably connected to one edge of the cradle and adapted to bear on theperiphery of the container above the cradle, a flexible connection between said plate and the opposite edge of the cradle, and means for tightening such connection.

3. A portable cleaning apparatus including frame uprights, a cradle mounted for rotative movement between the uprights, and a fastening means for securing a container within the cradle, said fastening means in cludinga chain connected to one edge of the cradle and a lever having meansffor 00111160 tion with the opposite edge of the cradle, said lever being formed on one side of its fulcrum with means to engage any link of the chain, and means whereby the end of the lever on the opposite side of the fulcrum Thus if ltlil may be fixed in'position to exert endwisc 

